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Moving into a new apartment is an exciting, albeit daunting, experience. Here are some tips to get settled into your new home quickly and efficiently, without harming your bank account too severely.

STEPS:

Before moving in, inspect the apartment's general features, such as light fixtures and plumbing to make sure that everything is in working order. You don't want to be held responsible or taken by surprise if something doesn't work when you move in.

Get your electricity, gas (if you have it) and water set up. Your landlord should have provided you with information about what is and is not included in the rent (water frequently is covered by rent). You should also ask for typical monthly costs for electricity and gas in that area, especially if you are new to that climate. If your new apartment is somewhere with hot summers or cold winters, your utility companies may offer plans to help balance out high costs during those months; you should inquire about these when you set up your accounts. Set these up at least a few days in advance, as there is sometimes a delay before the electricity and gas begins to work.

Set up your internet. Contact several different internet providers to find one that will meet your needs and your budget. Buy a router if the provider does not provide you with one and place it in a central location in your home, ideally as high up as possible.

Clean up before unpacking. The apartment should be completely empty, so take advantage by vacuuming the floor, dusting and cleaning the bathrooms.

Unpack furniture, appliances, and the like completely. In order for you to determine what you need, you should first determine what you have. As you set up your furniture, make notes on what you think is missing. Consider renting furniture if you don't own much, or if you plan on moving within two years.

Put up familiar paintings, photographs and decorations. Moving into a new home can be disorienting. Having familiar items scattered throughout your apartment will be reassuring and grounding.

Set a strict budget. While it may be tempting to go overboard, be very aware of what you can and cannot afford.

Create a list of things you need. Be sure to include items such as plates, utensils, a desk, dresser, bed, mattress, toilet paper and so on. Remember to also get lamps, especially in rooms that do not have lighting fixtures already installed.

Shop the sales. Look in thrift stores or yard sales for cheap, good quality furniture that you could use. Stick to your list - it's easy to buy more than you need and go over budget very quickly. Remember to inspect furniture carefully for rips and insects, especially when buying secondhand.

Remember to measure your available space carefully to make sure that any furniture you buy will fit into your new apartment.

Take a walk around your neighborhood to become better acquainted. Look at nearby restaurants, shops and parks to get a feeling for what is close by. Introduce yourself to your neighbors while you are at it.

Drive around your neighborhood and locate nearby schools, libraries, and grocery stores. Stop at the grocery store and sign up for a shopping card to take advantage of any savings the store may offer.

Go grocery shopping. Now that you are living on your own, you will also have to start to cook for yourself. Plan out your meals for the next week and make a list of the ingredients you may need. Since this is your first time stocking up your kitchen, you may want to stock up on essentials such as flour, spices and oil.